Chuncheon City Maintains Tap Water Safety Despite Summer Algae Spread

Preemptive Measures at Soyang and Yongsan Water Purification Plants
Activated Carbon Dosing and Enhanced Chlorination
City: "Tap Water Is Safe to Use"

Chuncheon City in Gangwon Province (Mayor Yuk Donghan) has taken proactive measures to ensure the safe supply of tap water, responding actively to the rapid spread of algae (green algae) that occurred earlier than usual this year due to abnormal summer heat and a shortened monsoon season.

Yongsan Water Purification Plant Panorama. Provided by Chuncheon City

Typically, when algae spread, there is a risk that odor-causing substances (such as geosmin and 2-MIB) may develop in tap water or that the efficiency of water purification processes may decline. To preemptively address these possibilities, Chuncheon City implemented a phased preemptive response system at the Soyang and Yongsan Water Purification Plants from the early stages of algae proliferation, making every effort to secure water quality safety.

At the end of June, when odor-causing substances from algae were detected near Chuncheon Dam, the city coordinated with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to adjust the discharge volumes of Uiam Dam and Chuncheon Dam. At the same time, the city took proactive measures by adding powdered activated carbon to the water purification process and increasing chlorine concentration in the final stage.

In addition to regular inspections by the Gangwon Institute of Health and Environment, the city strengthened water quality monitoring by conducting its own inspections twice a week and commissioning private institutions for additional weekly tests, resulting in a total of four precision inspections per week. As a result, recent consecutive inspections at the Yongsan Water Purification Plant confirmed that the concentration of algae-related odor substances remained below the standard, leading to the termination of activated carbon dosing on August 25.

A Chuncheon City official stated, "The results of the raw water quality inspections have confirmed stability, and we are considering a phased return to normal operations. Citizens can use tap water with confidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.